Embracing the future

It’s no secret that I’m a massive fan of “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. As we emerge into summer (which we are, despite the weather), I’m always reminded of the truth of a particular quote from the novel:

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”

While we might not have the sunshine, there’s a certain “je ne sais quoi” about this time of year that can make one feel as if life is, beginning all over again – especially for young people.

End of a chapter

Whether you’re about to sit your Leaving Certificate or you’ve just completed your final semester in college, there’s a finality that occurs with the beginning of summer.

As a chapter in your life closes, it’s time to examine how far you’ve come, before embarking on a new journey. This can be a wonderful, but scary time.

So many questions

Will I still be friends with the same people this time next year? What will I be doing this time next year? Graduation ceremonies and final exams can conjure up feelings of nostalgia and make us feel a little fragile; but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

When I finished school, I was a melting pot of emotions. There was relief (post exams) that I had managed to navigate six years of education. I was excited at the prospect of what my life would be in six months time along with feeling slightly terrified that my friends and I would grow apart.

How much I’d grown

But, it also gave me the time to examine how much I had grown as a person throughout my teenage years and give myself a pat on the back. More than likely, along with recieveing your graudation diploma, you will have accumulated wisdom in more than maths and biology.

Relationships

You’ve gained and lost friendships, had relationships, faced a multitude of problems – personal and otherwise – and learned some valuable life lessons. I believe it’s always good for your mental health to revel in these special moments when they present themselves. They pass by quicker than you think!

Getting through stronger

Every now and then, it’s good to sit and take a moment to think of all you’ve conquered and the amazing journey that lies ahead. It doesn’t matter who you are, life kicks all of our asses at times. But, you won. You got through the tough times and emerged a stronger individual.

Your past has prepared you for what’s about to come and even though it’s daunting, you should embrace your future. It’s not always going to be easy, but I can promise it’s going to be a lot of fun.